While I have shared numerous messages with the Penn community since the onset of the pandemic, the common thread that connects them all is that we thrive when we stand united, and when we demonstrate care for one another. The well-being and safety of our Penn family has been at the heart of every decision we have made.
Penn’s resourcefulness, resilience, and responsiveness has enabled us to adapt to changing circumstances with grit, so expressively defined as “passion and perseverance for long term goals” by our own celebrated professor Dr. Angela Duckworth. With an unwavering commitment to the safety of our students, we have pivoted to a virtual learning experience that is on par with their ingenuity and creativity.
Together, we embrace the academic theme for 2020–21— the Year of Civic Engagement. In the groundbreaking Stavros Niarchos Foundation Paideia Program, Dr. Duckworth and other brilliant professors are teaching thought-provoking coursework, where wellness, service, and citizenship initiatives combine to expand opportunities for civil dialogue. This discourse, along with pioneering and accessible programming at our Civic House and other University hubs, will propel us toward a more impactful and inclusive future at the University and in the wider circle of our nation and our world.
With guidance from our Chief Wellness Officer, in concert with our first-ever Vice President for Social Equity and Community, our dedicated faculty and staff, and the dynamic leaders within our Health System, I have no doubt that our collective strength and hope will carry us forward.
In the words of our esteemed founder Benjamin Franklin, “Well done is better than well said.” The efforts we make today will determine how we emerge on the other side of history, and I am grateful to you, our Penn parents, for believing in us as we work together for the greater good.
Amy Gutmann, President Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Political Science in the School of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Communication in the Annenberg School for Communication
CONTENTS
THE “WE” IN WELLNESS
Penn is here for you and your student
04
PENN MEDICINE RESPONDS
Inside our Health System’s plan to counter COVID-19
BENDING THE ARC TOWARDS JUSTICE
Meet Penn's first-ever Vice President for Social Equity and Community
02 04 08 05 07 12 10 11
MEET THE NEW FACULTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIC HOUSE
A Q&A with Dr. Herman Beavers
ANCIENT GREEK IDEALS, 21ST-CENTURY EDUCATION
A look at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Paideia Program
PENN LIBRARIES IN THE VIRTUAL AGE
Digital resources for academic success
11
TIPS FOR ONLINE LEARNING
How to make the most of virtual learning environments
12
THE POWER OF PARENT PHILANTHROPY
Sustaining Penn’s commitment to teaching, learning, research, and service
“I call it the COVID pivot,” says Dr. Benoit Dubé. That’s how the University's Chief Wellness Officer and Associate Provost describes a phenomenon that is now familiar to many of us: quickly adapting the way we do things to meet the demands of an ever-evolving pandemic. As an essential member of a campus-wide taskforce, Dr. Dubé aims to help students navigate a Fall Semester unlike any in Penn’s 280-year history.
“The University’s health and wellness services have become virtual, or in some instances hybrid, meaning that we offer some in-person activities or support, but there’s an online or virtual corollary as well,” says Dr. Dubé. Student Health Service now provides a combination of telehealth and in-person appointments. At Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), students can connect with a counselor via teletherapy or an office visit in addition to CAPS’ 24/7 phone service. Digital meditation workshops, mental health applications, and short, easily digestible videos focusing on coping strategies can be accessed anywhere there’s an internet connection. The unifying goal, Dr. Dubé explains, is to meet students where they are, whenever they need support.
“We want students to get a sense of agency in engaging with resources that are accessible and convenient, whatever their schedule may be.”
Dr. Dubé hopes undergraduates will make their own well-being a priority by keeping three guiding principles in mind. The first is to create a routine— ideally one that includes daily exercise. The CAPS website hosts yoga videos for every level that are easy to do at home, and the University’s NatureRX program encourages students to spend time outdoors, a proven method to reduce stress and restore energy.
The next principle is to nurture healthy relationships. “Social distance doesn’t mean social isolation,” Dr. Dubé says. He has been particularly inspired by the creative ways students are connecting when gathering physically isn’t possible. “We have Zoom a cappella groups now, and the Penn Band performs YouTube concerts,” he shares. “From our students, we have seen resilience and we have seen adaptability.”
The third tenet is to disconnect as needed. “We want our students to be really mindful of information overload—how detrimental it can be and how it leads to anxiety,” Dr. Dubé says.
The benefits of these tips—making a routine, connecting, and disconnecting—aren’t limited to students. Dr. Dubé also encourages parents to
incorporate them in their day-to-day lives for their own well-being and as a bridge to understanding and engaging with their child’s experience.
“We’re all anxious right now, and I think it’s important for parents to share that and communicate openly and honestly with their student,” he says. “Ultimately, I want to send a message of hope to parents and students alike that, yes, this is stressful, but we can weather it together.”
PENN IS HERE FOR YOU AND YOUR STUDENT:
Counseling and Psychological Services
Clinicians are available 24/7 to consult with parents and guardians
pennpri.de/caps (215) 898-7021
MENTAL HEALTH AND COVID-19 RESOURCES
Look for a special note for parents and guardians under Additional Resources pennpri.de/mentalhealth
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE
pennpri.de/shs (215) 746-3535
PENN MEDICINE RESPONDS
Driven by innovation, Penn Medicine has built a reputation for research and patient care that places it among the best hospital systems in the world. As University of Pennsylvania Health System CEO Kevin B. Mahoney likes to say, “Our normal has always been extraordinary.” COVID-19 may have redefined “normal,” but Penn’s commitment to excellence remains a constant.
Penn Medicine has responded powerfully to the threat of the novel coronavirus. Its physicianresearchers are pursuing an ambitious threepronged strategy geared toward keeping the University community healthy while leading the charge against COVID-19.
The first aspect of this plan, according to Mahoney, is to remain one step ahead of the virus. This means safeguarding the Penn community and its surrounding neighborhood with everything from increased testing availability to visiting patients in their own homes to the development of a digital application called PennOpen Pass, designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread and streamline contact tracing efforts for faculty, staff, students, and select visitors on campus. Additionally, new waiting room regulations and a focus on telehealth are promoting patient safety while maintaining quality of care.
Penn Medicine’s strategy also includes accelerating the pace of discovery. Researchers at the Penn Institute for Immunology have taken full advantage of the University’s strengths in the field to discover three relevant immunotypes, which may lead to more effective treatment options. On the technology front, the rapid development of digital tools like COVID Watch has led to faster responses for symptomatic patients—and reassurance for
those who remain unaffected. “Thousands have been monitored since the program began, and at any one time, 1,000 patients are being actively monitored,” says Mahoney.
The success of this research and targeted patient care relies on clinician and staff safety. To that end, Penn has received generous gifts from partners, including Joshua J. Harris, W’86, PAR’23, David S. Blitzer, W’91, PAR’24, and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, who leapt into action to establish the Penn Serology Research Fund. This fund supports research into the antibody response to COVID-19, including a study of more than 2,000 health care professionals—one of the first of its kind. It tests an individual’s antibody levels over time to identify those who are asymptomatic, helping our teams to avoid spreading the virus and providing a continual source of assurance to workers on the front line.
The entire University community is encountering unprecedented challenges—and Penn Medicine is helping us rise to overcome them. “The lessons we’ve learned from the coronavirus pandemic will only further our mission,” says Mahoney, “strengthening our commitment to conducting breakthrough research and providing outstanding patient care.”
BENDING THE ARC TOWARD JUSTICE
The Rev. Charles L. Howard, C’00, is looking inward for outward change. He knows from his 12 years as University Chaplain how self-reflection and challenging conversations can be channeled into meaningful action. Now as Penn’s first-ever Vice President for Social Equity and Community, Dr. Howard is examining how the University can become even more inclusive, sharing the progress of students and faculty who are working for justice at entities like the Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships and Civic House, and inspiring all who call Penn home to create hope and healing, both on campus and beyond.
"This new position reflects the way the world is right now. In many ways, we’re ahead of the curve. It’s exciting that Penn gets to lead the way in this intersection of community and University life."
“Scrolling through Instagram, you see that so much of their conversation is about justice and pushing back against discrimination. My hope is that we can create more avenues for them to share their gifts and apply their talents and passion.”
While his position is new, the work is familiar for Dr. Howard, who has been interested in caring for others since his days as a Penn student, when he was involved with Civic House and volunteered with the West Philadelphia Tutoring Project. After graduating, he worked as a hospice and hospital chaplain and performed outreach to the homeless before joining the University’s staff in 2008.
He has hit the ground running, overseeing Penn Projects for Progress—a $2 million fund to support initiatives that address social issues and disparities— and developing inaugural programming and hosting speakers. Where others might be concerned about
The Rev. Charles L. Howard, C’00, speaks at a 2019 campus vigil following the New Zealand mosque attacks.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT A YEAR OF
WITH
Preparing an informed and participative citizenry has been integral to a Penn education since the University’s founding. The Year of Civic Engagement—Penn’s academic theme for 2020–21—places the civic purpose of higher education at the center of student life and learning. Through an array of virtual workshops, lectures, and dialogues, students at all four undergraduate schools will have the opportunity to work together as they envision and build stronger communities at Penn, in Philadelphia, and throughout the world. Here are how two dynamic initiatives—Civic House and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Paideia Program—are driving this mission.
Meet Herman Beavers
FACULTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIC HOUSE
In July 2020, Civic House, the University’s hub for student-led community service and social advocacy, welcomed Dr. Herman Beavers, HOM’96, PAR’19, as its new Faculty Director. A renowned professor of English and Africana Studies at the School of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Beavers shares his thoughts on his new role.
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT LEADING CIVIC HOUSE AT THIS MOMENT?
It’s very exciting to be in the midst of the young people at Civic House right now. This is a difficult moment, between the upcoming presidential election and the protests that have sprung up all over the country in response to systemic racism. Our students are going to have to confront all this. When you start talking about civic engagement, you find out new things about yourself, and you rise to the occasion in ways you could not have anticipated. I’m looking forward to the conversations we’ll have and the reflection we’re going to do.
TELL US ABOUT CIVIC HOUSE’S SOCIAL JUSTICE FRAMEWORK AND HOW IT GUIDES YOUR WORK.
HOW WILL CIVIC HOUSE CONTRIBUTE TO THE YEAR OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT?
Every year is the Year of Civic Engagement for us. At Civic House, we’re going to engage the way we always engage—with empathy, compassion, seriousness, integrity, accountability, and transparency, and we’re going to do it consistently. I want students to recognize the importance of not just showing up once to pick up trash or tutor a kid in math. I hope civic engagement becomes integral to them for the rest of their lives.
TELL US ABOUT THE CIVIC SCHOLARS PROGRAM AND THE OPPORTUNITIES IT OFFERS PENN STUDENTS.
We partner with the Admissions Office and invite incoming students to apply to be Civic Scholars while at Penn. They do internships with forwardthinking community partners, conduct research, and complete a capstone project in their senior year. The program is grounded in practice and reflection, and it supports students as they explore approaches to social justice and mutually beneficial collaborations in West Philadelphia. Our Civic Scholars are an amazing group of people, and it’s a real privilege to be involved with them. Q Q Q Q A A A A
It’s a framework that offers the self-awareness to confront one’s privilege and engage directly with oppression and power. It invites our students to think about collaboration, leadership, education, and mentorship and to cultivate the skills to make an impact now, even when that means remaining quiet and listening to what people have to say. It gives students the idea of civic engagement as a network of partnerships. We don’t have a one-size-fits-all notion of social justice, but we hope students develop a strong set of competencies and commit themselves to pursuing social justice on the ground.
21st-Century Education ancient greek ideals
Thanks to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Paideia Program, Penn students now have another way to explore holistic civic engagement. Launched in 2019, the program joins Civic House, the Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships, and the Robert A. Fox Leadership Program in spearheading the Year of Civic Engagement. Taking its name from the ancient Greek concept of paideia, meaning the “education of the whole person,” its goal is to provide students with a robust civic education centered on civil dialogue, service, and wellness, and in doing so, transform public discourse for the better.
“We live in a time when there’s a lot of polarization and disagreement,” says Executive Director Leah Seppanen Anderson. “The SNF Paideia Program can step into this context and help all of us reflect on what that means for how we engage and interact with people who are different than ourselves.”
Providing opportunities for Penn students to practice productive and effective dialogue across different ideological perspectives is a hallmark of the Gamba Family Red and Blue Exchange, an initiative housed within the SNF Paideia Program. Established
by John F., W’61, PAR’92, and Mary Anne S. Gamba, HUP’65, G’84, PAR’92, the Red and Blue Exchange hosts public forums and a newly launched speaker series.
The first session in September featured Jonathan Haidt, a New York University professor and social psychologist, who delivered a livestreamed lecture on the value of open-mindedness and embracing diverse viewpoints, followed by a public dialogue with a panel of Penn students.
In celebration of the Year of Civic Engagement, the SNF Paideia Program also collaborated with the Office of New Student Orientation to help develop this fall’s Penn Reading Project, which virtually connected firstyear students to discuss writings by James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Benjamin Franklin, and Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as the documentary film, Song of Parkland. Other highlights of the Fall Semester include an online workshop on wellness, art, and social justice, along with a new wellness blog and social media campaign exploring the interdependence of individual and community well-being.
For those students looking to delve more deeply, SNF Paideia-designated courses offer the opportunity
to integrate civic development into their academic framework. Open to all undergraduates and co-taught by faculty drawn from schools and departments across the University, the classes cover topics ranging from the science of passion and perseverance to the practice of civil discourse and the biological roots of intergroup conflict. For the first cohort of SNF Paideia Fellows—a select group of sophomores committed to engaging more deeply with the program—this year offers the chance to create and implement their own civic engagement projects.
"At the heart of this new program is the goal of providing Penn undergraduates with the skills, knowledge, values, and experiences necessary for engaging in civil, informed discourse with those with whom they may disagree. Our aspiration is to produce citizens and leaders who can effectively bridge social, cultural, economic, and political divides in their personal, professional, and civic lives."
—Faculty Director Michael X. Delli Carpini
▲ Students discuss achieving personal, long-term goals in Dr. Angela Duckworth's Grit Lab, one of the inaugural SNF Paideia courses last spring.
◄ Students engage in a roundtable discussion during a spring 2019 SNF Paideia course.
PENN LIBRARIES in the Virtual Age
Astack of papers shuffling, keyboards clicking, and the occasional textbook thumping onto a desk’s flat surface—these are the noises that have long served as the typical soundtrack to studying at the Penn Libraries. Though it has been quieter throughout the 14 libraries in the University system this year, the vibrant pace of collaboration and knowledge sharing has not slowed. Thanks to a significantly enhanced roster of digital services, students can still fully engage with the Libraries’ vast array of scholarly resources, whether they are on campus or learning remotely.
Launched in March and continually updated, the Penn Libraries Virtual Support portal provides undergraduates with the opportunity to talk directly to a Penn librarian, gain unfiltered access to the University’s digital collections, receive teaching and learning guidance, and obtain technical assistance.
“The Penn Libraries have always served students in a technology-mediated manner,” says Nursing Liaison Librarian Richard James. “Most crucially at this time, none of our work is confined to any one building or place, and we now have the capacity to be with students virtually and continue to meet their needs at the same high levels they have come to expect.”
Two highlights of this approach are the chat and video consultation options that connect students individually to one of 50 subject librarians.
“We have designed this so that a student talking virtually with a librarian is essentially the equivalent to standing in the middle of a library without walls,” says Brigitte Weinsteiger, Associate Vice Provost for Collections & Scholarly Communications. “Our librarians hold deep expertise in a host of disciplines, and we have replicated the virtual environment to match the in-person experience as closely as we can.”
This adaptability is also reflected in the Libraries’ rapid response to acquisition requests. Since March, the University has purchased more than 35,000 e-books, and librarians continue the effort to honor new requests for books, films for streaming, and commercially available scholarly articles.
“Our librarians remain committed to not only connecting students to the right research material, but also to the right people to provide them with the best and most expert assistance,” adds Weinsteiger. “As a team, we are dedicated to doing our part to create an environment in which every student thrives and succeeds.”
To see the resources available, visit: pennpri.de/virtualsupport
Tips for ONLINE LEARNING
The start of every Fall Semester requires an adjustment for undergraduates—whether it is their freshman or senior year. Fall 2020 poses a unique set of challenges. With the vast majority of instruction occurring online, we reached out to Provost Wendell Pritchett as well as student tutors and staff members at the Weingarten Learning Resources Center for a few tips on how parents can help their students have a successful and productive semester.
WENDELL PRITCHETT
Provost and Presidential Professor of Law and Education
“The University is here to help your student sustain their educational goals. The Weingarten Learning Resources Center is a great place to start. Your student can find a wide range of strategies for remote learning at pennpri.de/onlinelearning, including structuring and managing time proactively, forming online study groups, and preparing for open-book exams. Also encourage your student to connect regularly with their advisors, professors, and teaching assistants. They understand your student’s individual situation and can serve as valuable sources of advice. ”
MADELINE SMITH, C’21
Biology and Modern Middle Eastern Studies
Student Tutor at the Weingarten Learning Resources Center
“Remember to give your child enough space so they can practice making decisions for themselves—focus more on support and less on supervision. Virtual learning can sometimes feel isolating, so checking in with your student and letting them know they have your support can be valuable. However, when you’re doing this, be sure to remember to ask about things other than schoolwork, as college is so much more than just getting good grades!”
JANE HOLAHAN
Executive Director, Weingarten Learning Resources Center
“It is essential to have a variety of strategies in your tool box, where you can establish goals and use them as guides to accomplish work. I recommend that students create and continually update a calendar. This will help them stick to a schedule and develop good habits, leading to success in the classroom as well as in their personal lives. Additionally, since we are all in this together, I encourage parents to share their own successes and challenges in adapting to this new reality. Learn what works and celebrate your accomplishments with your student!”
SAMANTHA STEEMAN, C’21
Biological Basis of Behavior
Student Tutor at the Weingarten Learning Resources Center
“Encouraging students to try their best to keep a positive and open mind is one of the most beneficial things that parents can do. Having an open line of communication about how they’re feeling throughout the semester can help boost morale while adjusting to a virtual learning environment.”
ONE PENN COMMUNITY
Current parents pull together in extraordinary ways to make a direct impact on the student experience. Here is a look at how your Fiscal Year 2020 giving is advancing The Power of Penn Campaign:
THE PENN FUND
Current parent contributions of almost $3.9M provide immediate financial support to all areas of undergraduate life and learning
ARTS AND CULTURE
Contributions of more than $940,000 help keep Penn’s cultural hubs vibrant—ensuring inspiring and innovative programming at places like the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Kelly Writers House, and the Institute of Contemporary Art
UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
Nearly $4.4M in support for financial aid helps students with demonstrated need pursue a life-changing Penn education
$4.7M in parent giving strengthens the research, treatment, and medical education that advance cures and improve quality of life worldwide
ATHLETICS
$2.8M in parent support helps our scholar-athletes succeed in the classroom, in their training, and in the wider community
RESEARCH
Close to $4.8M in parent gifts spark opportunities for students to investigate new ideas alongside faculty or independently
As a parent, you have always played an integral role in your student’s education. To learn how you can participate in their Penn experience, contact Director of Parent Outreach and Development Rachel Shearon at rshearon@upenn.edu or (610) 290-2188.
Parent FAQ
Q: Where can my student go for learning resources in this new virtual setting?
Students have access to seasoned and innovative educators and resources through Weingarten Learning Resources Center. Visit their website at wlrc.vpul.upenn.edu to learn more about the staff’s commitment to supporting all students in this new environment.
Q: How can parents feel more connected to the University this year?
Please stay in touch with us! Check out our Facebook (www.facebook.com/PennParents) and Instagram (@pennparents)! Visit our official website at www.pennparents.upenn.edu and be sure to sign up to receive the monthly Penn Parents e-newsletter. Lastly, reach out to our office to confirm we have your correct contact information. This ensures that you are receiving all communications from us, which are frequent.
Q: Will there still be clubs and organizations my student can join?
Student Group Registration for the 2020–21 academic year is now open. Check out The Office of Student Affairs at osa.vpul.upenn.edu/clubs and browse the many clubs and organizations that students can choose from.
Q: Are there any parentspecific events or programs to look forward to during the academic year?
Yes! Keep an eye out for email invitations for informative virtual events and programs, designed specifically with the Penn parent experience in mind.
penn family to the
The University’s Welcome Receptions offer our Penn families the opportunity to unite under the banner of the Red & Blue and bond before classes start. This year’s virtual format allowed for 13 coast-to-coast digital events and—for the first time ever—distinct online gatherings for each of the four undergraduate schools. Overall, more than 1,500 Quakers and their families greeted each other and kicked off an engagement with Penn that can last a lifetime.
The Office of Parent Outreach and Development is committed to creating avenues for Penn families to be informed and uniquely involved in the life of the University year-round.
To see upcoming virtual events, please visit: www.pennparents.upenn.edu
